Sumbu Kalambay
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Sumbu "Patrizio" Kalambay was a world champion boxer. He was born April 10, 1956 in Zaire. As a young man, he moved to Italy, which is where he still resides.
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[edit] Professional career
Kalambay turned professional in 1980. In 1985, he won the Italian middleweight title. Two years later, he won the European middleweight title by beating Herol Graham, who was 38-0 and ranked #1 in the world.
In his next fight, Kalambay defeated Iran Barkley to win the vacant WBA world middleweight title. He made three successful title defenses, including an upset win over Mike McCallum, the undefeated former world junior middleweight champion.
In 1989, he fought Michael Nunn, the undefeated IBF world middleweight champion, being stripped of the WBA belt prior to the bout. Surprisingly, Kalambay was knocked out in the first round with one punch. It was the only knock out loss of his career.
In 1991, in an attempt to regain the WBA world middleweight title, Kalambay had a rematch with McCallum, which McCallum won by a split decision. Two years later, after losing to Chris Pyatt in a try for the WBO world middleweight title, Kalambay retired with a record of 57-6-1 (33 KOs).
| Preceded by Marvin Hagler Stripped |
WBA Middleweight Champion 1987–1989 Stripped |
Succeeded by Mike McCallum |
[edit] Amateur career
Amateur record: 90 wins - 5 losses
[edit] Career after boxing
Sumbu Kalambay is currently the trainer of boxers Paolo Vidoz and Michele Piccirillo.
[edit] Trivia
He is the father of Patrick Kalambay, an Italian football midfielder.
